Valerien Ismael hails Cauley Woodrow's leadership with Barnsley FC duo

Woodrow started Sunday's outstanding Championship win at Brentford on the bench before coming on during the second half.

Despite not starting, Ismael was quick to pinpoint the contribution of senior professional Woodrow in making sure Carlton Morris and Daryl Dike - who started their first games for the club - were mentally ready and full of confidence going into the game.

In its own way, Ismael believes that it alludes to the strong team spirit prevalent at the club.

Ismael, whose side welcome Blackburn Rovers at Oakwell on Wednesday evening, said: "The mindset is very positive in the team and we have excellent team spirit and work ethic from the guys and when a new player comes in, he can feel it and want to be a part of this squad.

"Everybody helps each other on the pitch and if you saw before the game, everybody pushed Dee-Kay (Dike) and Carlton Morris and Cauley Woodrow was fantastic in helping the guys in their first game and this is what we need - a team spirit.

"We produced the answer with the performance and result and it gives us more belief and the motivation to keep up the good work."

It was a red-letter game which saw Morris score his first goal for the club since his January move from Norwich City - after four appearances from the bench - and Dike make an excellent impression in his maiden start.

Ismael continued: "I think it will be good for him (Morris), but in the same situation, we have to take care of him with the schedule, rhythm, intensity and the way to play. In the first half, he struggled a little bit with the intensity, but the second half was much better.

"To score in his first (start) game is a good sign to see how he integrated quickly. He needs to play football and is integrating into the team.

"For sure, when you perform like that and bring your own quality to help the team and win, it is a perfect moment for the club and the guys and for him."